Written in easily accessible terms for the non-surgeon, Overview of Cardiac Surgery for the Cardiologist provides the essential information cardiologists need when counseling their patients about heart surgery. Surgical procedures are described without an excess of technical jargon to make cardiologists more aware of the benefits and limitations of cardiac surgery, and to enable the physician to explain cardiac operations more clearly to the patient. Fifteen eminent cardiac surgeons contribute chapters on: cardiac anesthesia; cardiopulmonary bypass; myocardial protection; coronary bypass surgery; aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve replacement and repair; adult congenital heart disease; cardiac transplantation; mechanical assist devices; active endocarditis; surgical considerations of prosthetic valve selection; reoperations; plus a unique question and answer format.